Frequently asked questions

What is the difference in ride height to a standard replacement product?

What has been shortened - the body or piston rod? Why?

Has the oil viscosity changed from Standard to GT Sport?

Is their a valving difference between GT Gas and GT Sport? What are the other differences between the two products?

Bump stop rubbers - how are they engineered and how are they different to other bump stop rubbers?

Can you mix and match springs and shocks?

What will be the big differences from standard suspension set up?

Will the steering be heavier?

Will my car scrub?

How bumpy will it be? Will my car lose its soft feel?

Will it reduce the body roll?

Will the tyre wear be affected?

Can I still tow a trailer?

How low are Low and Super Low?

1. What is the difference in ride height to a standard replacement product?

The ride height when compared with original equipment springs and shock absorbers when the vehicle was new is an average of 25-30 millimetres lower for the Monroe GT Sport with a 'Low' spring and 40-50 millimetres when fitted with a 'Super Low' spring.

The GT Sport product complements properly engineered vehicles. By lowering a vehicle, you are modifying it significantly, which brings other important factors such as wheel size into play.

Note - the length of the shock absorber plays no part in lowering the car. It's all down to the height of the spring.

2. What has been shortened - the body or piston rod? Why?

Front strut type - In most cases, both the body and the rod have been shortened to match the lowered ride height generated by the shorter spring. The shortened body gives extra bump travel while the shorter rod ensures the shorter coil spring is not loose when fully extended.

Rear shock type - Again, in most cases the body and rod have been shortened. The main reason for the shorter rod, and hence the shorter overall shock length, is to ensure the coil spring is retained at all times and does not become loose when fully extended. Typically, the bump rubbers are separate from both the spring and shock absorber on rear suspension designs.

3. Has the oil viscosity changed from Standard to GT Sport?

Monroe uses its highest grade, low fade oil for the GT Sport product. In fact, it's the same award-winning oil that's used for the GT Gas product and has been specifically tuned for Monroe shock absorbers world-wide.

4. Is their a valving difference between GT Gas and GT Sport? What are the other differences between the two products?

The Monroe GT Sport range utilises multi-staged valving that is based on our award-winning Reflex technology to deliver optimum levels of performance, control and handling without sacrificing ride comfort.

The GT Gas product is designed specifically around the OE Spring and is a standard OE replacement product.

The GT Sport is specifically tuned to a firmer, heavier spring designed by King Springs and the valving has been altered accordingly.

In technical terms, the valving in the shock absorber has been modified to deliver a softer compression stroke, thus minimising any suspension harshness.

On rebound however, oil flow has been restricted to enable the shock absorber to better control the spring.

This is how we've engineered the Monroe GT Sport with both optimum performance and ride comfort characteristics - in contrast to many other lowered suspension products, which tend to deliver a harsh, 'crashy' ride ... or they sacrifice performance for ride.

6. Can you mix and match springs and shocks?

7. What will be the big differences from standard suspension set up?

Lowered products of the past have been associated with a loss of ride comfort, but the GT Sport product ensures you can experience a sporty, lowered ride with improved handling characteristics as well as comfort and control.

This is achieved through intensive fine tuning of the shock absorber to the spring. The GT Sport is specifically tuned to a firmer, heavier spring designed by King Springs and the valving has been altered accordingly.

In technical terms, the valving in the shock absorber has been modified to deliver a softer compression stroke, thus minimising any suspension harshness.

8. Will the steering be heavier?

9. Will my car scrub?

The vehicle is only at risk of scrubbing if oversized tyres or the wrong offset rims are fitted to the vehicle.

Camber should also be checked and adjusted according to OE specifications whenever suspension or shock absorber changes are made. A camber adjustment kit may be required to achieve the correct settings.

13. Can I still tow a trailer?

When fitting the GT Sport product load carrying ability must be considered to determine whether a 'Low' or 'Super Low' spring is appropriate. In most cases, vehicles fitted with the 'Low' springs will be best for light towing.

14. How low are Low and Super Low?

The length of the shock absorber plays no part in lowering the car. It's all down to the size of the spring.

When compared with original equipment springs and shock absorbers, the vehicle was an average of 25-30 millimetres lower for the Monroe GT Sport with a 'Low' spring and 40-50 millimetres when fitted with a 'Super Low' spring.